System of wall construction



@cih 69 '19.36 M R PRuCE l2,056,328 f s-YSTEM oF WALL CONSI'RUGTION Filed Dec. 5, v1935 '4 she'ets-sheet 1 fl renne@ a 0er. 6, 1936. M. R. PRICE 2,565,328

SYSTEM 0F WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 5, Y1935 4 sheets-sheet 2 @et 6, 1936. M, R PRICE 2,056,328

SYSTEM OF WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo'. 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 GMM/MAA;

@et "239 E936.. M. R. PRICE SYSTEM 0F WALL. CONSTRUCTION- Filed Deo. 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. /l7/7/6/ 7? QVC@ VZfJr/a/Lq/ ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Manley R. Price, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to George M. Seule, Cleveland, Ohio, as trustee Application December 5, 193s.v seriai No. 700,993

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a system of building walls, particularly non-bearing partition walls. .An object of the present invention is to provide a simpliiied system of erecting walls using a steel or other metallic framework and non-combustible or rigid slabs covering the framework, wherein erection of the wall is accomplished expeditiously and in such manner that all metal parts are concealed on the outer face of the wall.

A further object is to provide a simplified system of erecting walls which will permit the salvage of substantially all parts of the wall for reerection.

Still another object is to provide a wall using steel or other frame parts and relatively heavy slabs wherein the cost of producing the slabs and the cost of providing anchors for the slabs is reduced substantially to a minimum.

A specific object is to provide an improved stud supporting and anchoring arrangement for partitions adapted to be erected in an already existing building.

A specific object is to provide an improved system of erecting walls using slabs with non-interlocking edges but wherein the slabs 'are maintained in accurate vertical alignment so as not to require a heavy coating for a smooth fiat finish.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive anchoring device for securing simple slab shapes to studding or other wall framework in such manner that the slabs will be very ilrm- Iy and rigidly held in place in the wall.

A further specific object is to provide a simple arrangement for securing wall slabs to a wall framework in such manner that there is no metal projecting beyond the outer faces of the slabs, the slabs are not spaced from each other at the adjacent edges of two slabs, and the slabs are not spaced from the framework.

Another object is to provide various improvements in wall slabs suitable for a wall of the class shown in the application of C. A. Robinson, W. S. Trader and myself, Ser. No. 692,278, iiled October 5, 1933.

Another specific object is to provide an improved and simplified slab edge aligning device adaptable to a great variety of shapes of slab edges. v l

Other objects will become apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a partition wall in the process oi' erection, part only of the slabs of the wall being shown;

Fig. 2- is a perspective view showing in detail one form of stud anchoring and supporting bracket; 5

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the modification of a bracket similar to that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a perspective view showing one form of slab anchoring device on a channel-shaped stud;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a further modiiication of slab anchoring device and portions of two wall slabs secured against the stud by the anchoring device;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing another manner of securing the slabs in the wall and also a modified slab aligning device;

Figs. 7 to 9 are detail views showing the slab anchoring and aligning devices of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a vertical plane transverse to the wall and showing the manner oi setting and securing the slabs;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a different aligning device for wall slabs;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the upper edge oi a slab with the device of Fig. 11 in place therein;

Fig. 13 is a sectional plan view through a stud showing portions of two slabs, one at each side of the stud, and showing another form of anchoring device for the slabs;

Fig. 1&1 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Eid-ll of Fig. 13 and showing diagrammatically a suitable tool for applying the anchoring device;

Figs. 15 and 16 are views corresponding to Figs. 13 and 14 respectively and showing a further modification of anchoring device; 40

Figs. 17 and 18 are views corresponding to Figs.

13 and 14 respectively showing still further modifications; g

Fig. 19 is a view corresponding generally to Fig. 18 and showing a modification of the arrangement thereof;

Figs. 20 and 21 are, respectively, horizontal and vertical fragmentary sectional fviews of modifled slab anchors and associated wall parts;

Fig. 22 is a sectional detail View showing a modified anchor, the view being taken ona vertical plane transverse to the wall;

Figs. 23 to 25 are perspective views showing further modifications of slab anchoring devices;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing portion of 55;

a modified stud .and anchoring devices according to Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a view corresponding to Fig. 26 showing an alternative construction of stud;

Fig. 28 is a sectional fragmentary plan view of a wall transversely cutting a still different form of stud;

Fig. 29 is a detail view of the anchor shown in Fig. 28 and a portion of the same stud;

Fig. 30 is a sectional detail view as indicated on Fig. 28; Fig. 30a is a plan view of a modified anchor generally similar to that of Fig. 25;

Fig 31 is a fragmentary sectional plan view cutting a stud and showing a still further modification of slab;

- Fig. 32 is a detail sectional view of portions of the wall shown in Fig. 31 taken on a plane indicated on the latter;

Figs. 33 and 34 are transverse sectional views of respectively different slabs on the order of the slab shown in Fig. 32;

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary perspective view of a laminated slab;

Fig. 36 is a transverse sectional view thereof;

Fig. 37 is a detail perspective View of the slab shown in Figa 35 and 36 and an anchor therefor;

Figs. 38, 40, and 41 are fragmentary vertical sectional views of still further modified slabs and appropriate anchoring and securing devices; and

Figs. 39 and 42 are perspective views of a modified anchor and a modified slab respectively.

The invention will be described as embodied in partition walls but it is not necessarily conned thereto.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Fig. ,1 shows at A, B, and C respectively ceiling, vertical wall and floor surfaces adapted to support a partition. In erecting the partition adjacent such wall surfaces, guide strips I are provided preferably running continuously along the respective ceiling, vertical wall and floor surfaces as indicated and being secured to said surfaces as by nailing or cementing in place. 'I'he guide strips determine the plane of the lwall to be erected.

T'he metal framework of the wall comprises, as shown, studs 5, base supports or anchors 6 for the studs, ceiling anchors or brackets 1 for the studs and anchors 8 for the slabs.

In order that the workmen in erecting the wall will not have to cut and fit the studs, the supports vand brackets 6 and 1 are made as extension members fitting the studs and adapted to be adjustably locked theretoso that the stud is firmly attached at each end to the upper and lower guide strips respectively. The studs 5, see Fig. 2, may be channel-shaped in cross section and the supports or brackets 6 preferablyfit between the flanges so that when clamped to the lower ends' of the studs the supports form rigid extensions of the stud. For longitudinal adjustment the upright portions III of the lower brackets may be slotted as at I I to receive suitable clamping bolts diagrammatically indicated at I2, and the lower endof each stud is suitably apertured to receive the bolts. The lower ends of the brackets have channel-shaped bearing portions I3 with downwardly extending flanges I4 adapted to embrace the guide strip for a considerable distance along it, thereby increasing the bearing for the stud with relation to the gui-de strip and preventing bodily displacement of the stud and rotation thereof on a vertical axis.

Preferably the flanges I4 are so spaced from each other that these flanges have t0 be forced down onto the opposite edges of the guide lstrip.

'I'he flanges I4 have extensions I5 which rest on the floorand provide for securing the lower edges of the slabs, portions of four of the latter.` being indicated at 20 in Fig. l. The flanges I5 may have upward extensions I6, as illustrated in Fig. 2 adapted to embrace the lower outer margins of the slab or, as an alternative construction, the flanges I5 may be provided with suitable projections I1 as illustrated in Fig. l for interlocking with the lower edges of the slabs. In the latter event, the projections I1 may be formed on the flanges I5 or the flanges may be provided with suitable openings adapted to carry short spikes having head formations below the flanges I5, adapted to rest on the floor, and points to extend upwardly through the openings and engage the slabs.

Instead of making the upstanding portions III of the support 6 fit the inside surfaces of the studding, this portion of the support may be made as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the stud is embraced on all sides by the upstanding portion Illa of the support. In this event one major surface of the portion Illa may carry suitable set screws I2a, say for engaging vthe back of the web of a channelshaped stud.

The construction of the upper extensions 1 for the stud is generally similar to the construction of the base supports. No flanges such as I8 or slab interlocking devices such as I1 are usually necessary at the top, however, since the upper edges of the uppermost slabs may more simply be nailed to the upper guide strips I. Longitudinal adjustment of the extension 1 is provided in the same manner as previously described and both the stud extension members 6 and 1 are preferably provided with openings I0' for Where such horizontal conduits etc. are neces' sary in the wall intermediate the ends of the studs suitable apertured sleeves may be used as.

shown in the above identified prior application.

The slabs may be composed of high grade gypsum plaster having a suitable reinforcing and protecting envelope of chipboard or other suitably strong paper, for example. I Such slabs may be formed on a board mill such as is common in the gypsum industry. 'I'he simplest form of slab shown is rectangular in cross section as illustrated in Fig. 1 herein referred to as a square edge slab. Since this form of slab provides no interlock between the horizontal edges of the slabs the anchoring devices for securing the slabs tothe studding may include as part of their construction suitable means for interlocking both the upper and lower edges of adjacent slabs.

The anchoring device as vshown in Fig. 4 comprises a U-shaped metal plate or strip 24. This may be made of' light sheet metal say 18 to 24 gauge, may be suitably treated to resist corrosion, and has, as shown. upstanding points 25 at the outermost ends and downwardly projecting points 26 one at each end, one being shown. In case the metal stock is very light the points are preferably corrugated in transverse cross section to lstiften the same and increase the slab engaging one and both or all are not driven in simultaneously the one driven in iirst is likely to be loosened when the other is or others are driven in. 'Ihe single downwardly extending point may be easily driven into the slab by a blow of a.

hammer. The single downwardly extending point is much longer than the upstanding points Whereby it will better hold-its position in one slab while the point at the opposite end of the plate is being driven into the opposite slab. The transverse corrugations greatly. assist in preventing such accidental withdrawal of the points while setting the slabs. 'This characteristic is highly important where the edges of the slabs on opposite sides of the wall are not in the same horizontal plane, requiring' that the plate be bent up or down after placement on one slab in order to meet the edge of the slab on the opposite side. If the slabs on both sides of the wall are erected simultaneously then obviously the plate will not have an overlying slab to hold the attached end down while the opposite end is being secured to the opposite slab.

In view of the fact that variations in the width of different slabs is likely to cause horizontal disalignment of the upper edges of the slabs after a number of slabs are erected it is preferable to make the anchor plates with the inner opposite edges 2l which embrace the outer flange surfaces ..5 -the studs of such spacingthat the plate may be bent up or down as required without binding on the stud. Where such flange clearance is provided on this type of plate (and in any event when using straight strip anchors to tie the slabs as will be hereinafter described) the slabs after attachment of the ends of the anchor thereto may be drawn tightly against the studding by distorting the intermediate portion of the anchor plate (as at 29 Fig. 4) .thus shortening the intermediate portion and drawing the inner surfaces of the slabs tightly against the outer surfaces of the stud. Such distortion may be eftected by means of a pair oi pliers with suitable shaped jaws, say complementary recessed and indented in any suitable pattern. This may be done on any-gauge oi stock from paper-thin up to say 18 gauge.

The modified anchor plate 8@ shown in Fig. 5 has the general characteristics of the anchor plate just described except that instead of providing projections formed from the metal of the plate, the ends of the plate are suitably aperturecl'as at 3i to receive separate fastening devices 32 adapted to be driven into the upper edge of the underlying slabs 2u. In the case oi using say square edge slabs, then in order that lthe devices will retain both adjacent slabs, eachdevice 82 may have two points 32 and 32", the lower point being the longer in order that it will more securely hold its position in the underlying slab, and in order that the fastening devices on one end of the plate will securely vhold in position in the slab while seeming the opposite slab. also In placing the plates 24 or 30 it is preferred to have the openfside of one plate adjacent one side of the stud and the vopen side of the next higher plate adjacent the opposite side of the same stud whereby the slabs when erected cannot shift with reference to the stud in a horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the wall.

In the event the slabs do not have their upper edges terminating substantially in nearly horizontal alignment with each other on opposite sides of the wall, the anchoring device, shown at 35 in Figs. 6 and '1, may be used. This device comprises a metal plate formed with a recess 36, one edge of which forms a hook at 36 adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the stud ilange and one-edge of which forms an abutment 36" engaging the back of the stud. This anchor may be secured to the stud by placing the hook over the free edge of the stud flange and swinging the opposite end of the anchor about the rear `portion oi the ilange and into contact with the rear web surfaceof the channel. Preferably,the hook has a spring lip 38 for yieldingly engaging the stud flange and more securely holding the -plate 35 on the stud, the plate pressing against the ange and drawing the edge 36" snugly against the back ofthe web of the channel as the plate is driven down on the slab.

The edges of the plate 35 have, as shown, points dii and 4i corresponding substantially to the' points 25 and4 26 of the plate 24, the points 40 being bent from the opposite end edges of the plate 35 and the inner edges of the points inclining upwardly and outwardly from the plane of the plate whereby to assist in drawing a slab placed on top of the slab already positioned, as shown in Fig. 6, inwardly toward the stud.

Fig. 6 also shows a simple device for aligning the edges of the slabs intermediately of the studding. This, as shown, comprises a sheet metal plate B5, see also Figs.` 8 and 9, from which are turned upwardlyvextending points 46 and a downwardly extending projection 4l. The downward--` ly extending projection is preferably disposed centrally of the plate soV that the plate may be properly located and secured to the lower slab by a single blow of a hammer over the downwardly extending projection. The projection tl? is corrugated vertically to strengthen the same and increase the area of contact with the body material of the slab and to dispose the contacting surfaces in a plurality of planes gr more ilrmly holding the plate in position.

Figs. ll and 12 show a" somewhat simpler form oi slab aligning device consisting of a sheet metal plate 50, the-upper endbf which is corrugated as at i and sharpened as at 52 in the manner of sharpening ordinary.corrugated nals; the lower end portion 53 being plain and preferably pointed to more easily pierce the slab. Where the corrugations terminate downwardly a shoul- `der is formed as will be obvious from Fig. l2 preventingl the device from penetrating further into the lower slab than as shown in Fig. 12 when the upper slab is placed in edgewise contact therewith.

Referring to Fig. i0, this shows a slab at 201: anchored as by the device shown in Fig. 4, and a. slab 28g being inclined outwardly from the studding at its upper edge as though still supported in the hands of the workman. lin order to be certain that the inner lower corner of the slab will in unal position restl snugly against the stud flanges, the lower inner corner is cut away. This may be beveled, recessed or rounded as shown at 20a permitting the slab to be initially set closer against the stud though inclined as shown, on

account of the clearance afforded by the cut away it is desired to hold both slabs, the slab engaging devices may be driven only partially into the underlying slabs, leaving enough upward projection to engage the lower edges of the overlying slabs. As shown, the extremities of the U-shaped straps 60 are corrugated and also bevel cut as at 62 on the upper edge, the bevel providing a p/oint to facilitate penetration of the upper slab with greater facility than the lower. With this arrangement a slab at one side of the wall, see left side as shown, may be secured by driving both corrugated portions into the upper edge'of the underlying slab as by a hammer device such as H Fig. 14, and then the slab at the opposite side may be secured by similarly attaching another strap which at the closed portion overlies the free ends of the previously placed strap. This overlie may necessitate some inclination of one strap or. the other but this is immaterial since the corrugated portions may be moved toward and away from the stud and thus properly located with reference to the edge of the slab to firmly engage the slab when driven in without projecting outwardly beyond the exposed surfaces of the slabs.

It may be assumed in connection with the device of Figs. 13 and 14 and other forms of corrugated sheet metal fastener that either the lower or upper edges of the corrugated portions are sharpened as in conventional corrugated clips or nails. Both may be sharpened although sharpening only the upper edges may be practiced to decrease the facility with which the lower edge penetrates further into the lower slab when the upper slab is lowered into contact therewith.

y The straps 6I! may be of very light gauge metal since the corrugations lend considerable strength te the only portions needing any stiffness. The

corrugations may be directed outwardly from the stud and downwardly in order to draw the slabs inwardly against the studding.

Figs. 15 and 16v show a modification of the strap device jus't described wherein instead of forming corrugations e. g.' on the strap itself separate slab piercing devices 65 (corrugated as shown) are pivotally secured at 61 to the straps 66. By this means the straps may be made of much more pliable metal or of lighter gauge tol facilitate placement on the studs in the required position. The strap portions may be copper, aluminum, brass etc., for greater flexibility and to resist corrosion and only the corrugated members steel. A further advantage is that the corrugated members i5 may be swung wit-h respect to the strap regardless of inclination thereof from a horizontal plane whereby the devices 65 may be driven into the slab edge at the desired angle regardless of such inclination. By making the strap portion .of pliable metal, there is less likelihood of interference between the two straps since the second one to be applied may be more readily positioned by bending or twisting .the same as may be required. Preferably the corrugated members i5 are offset from the pivot joint 61 so as to provide clearance for the closed portions of the strap as will be obvious from Fig. 16. In order that the devices may be used interchangeably on both sides of the wall both the upper and lower edges of the corrugated members are sharpened.

In the event one side of the wall is completely erected first, then in order to erect the opposite side it lwill either be necessary to have the straps for such opposite side already in place or to provide suitable means permitting the insertion of the straps into position. For the latter purpose the slabs may be grooved as at 68, (shown on Fig. 14 only), to an extent permitting the corrugated portions or members of the straps to beinserted between the slabs and the studs. Preferably the grooves are set back from the edges of' the slabs to avoid weakening these portions of the slabs. The strap when inserted may be moved up and down the studding to proper position by grasping the opposite ends of the strap and working the strapv back and forth meanwhile bearing upwardly or downwardly as required to locate the strap.

The strapsabove described may be modified in accordance with Figs. 23 and 24, the arrangements of which are obvious from inspection of these figures. downwardly andoutwardly extending sharpened extremities 1I to pierce the slabs and with flattened stud embracing portions 12. Fig. 24 shows the Vfree ends of the straps 15 twisted so as to lie flat between the slab edges. Tacks may be used with this form of strap or the ends may be bent-to form prongs. As shown the ends are corrugated.

Instead of securing the slabs to the studding by light straps as in the arrangements just described, the slabs may be secured to each other as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 by very light metal strips 16, preferably one at each side of every stud. These may be secured by tacks or formed with adequate slab retaining devices thereon in accordance with the above description. As shown generally cone-shaped protuberances 11 areprovided. An advantage of using such light pliable strips is that the strips occupy very small vertical space. hence the slabs can be in actual contact throughout their entire length being undisplaced by the anchoring' means. Many very simple arrangements may be employed for holding the strip in place, such as single or double pointed tacks,4 and light staples, requiring no p're-l formed openings in the strip. If the strips are of a gauge. say equal to tin can stock and of fairly hard metal short protuberances (similar to those on a nutmeg grater) may be formed thereon which require but little seating force to puncture the chipboard envelope of the slab previously described yet which very eifectively hold such slab particularly when the slabs are assembled.

If such protuberances extend both ways from the stock, then, of course, the edges of both the underlying and overlying slabs are firmly held when the slabs are brought together.

A further refinement is shown in both Figs. 18 and 19, namely; the provision of slight tongue and groove effects on the slab edges (bevel grooves Il on Fig. 18, rounded grooves 19 on Fig. 19). If the strip is stretched across suchgrooves, from one underlying or lower slab to the other on the opposite sides of the wall, then when the upper slabs are lowered into position, the lower slabs are drawn tightly against the studding. Further, by reason of the interlock provided by the tongue and groove effects Fig. 23 shows wire straps l0 with l metal for the anchoring strip or relatively shallow tongue and groove effects on the slabs. In any case it requires firmly attaching the ends of lthe tie strip. Instead of the speciiic procedure just described a very light gauge metal strip may be tightened and will maintain the slab snugly seated against the studding by forming say crisscross corrugations in the metal strip as at 80, Fig. i7, as by a suitable tool, like a pair of pliers with special jaws to form the necessary ridge and groove eiects.

The anchoring device shown in Figs. 20 and 21 is designed for light duty walls and comprises a metal plate having a recess 86 to embrace the stud ange, an upwardly extending lip 8l to yieldingly bear against the inner surface of the fiange when the anchor is nally seated and means such as the corrugated downwardly bent inner end 8B of the plate to pierce the slab-edge. 'I'he use of corrugations on the slab piercing portion permits the use of very light gauge metal say 20 gauge for slabs up to in thickness. The plate may be extended as indicated in broken lines at 89 to abut the side of the stud opposite from the flange.

The anchor of Fig. 22 is made similar to that of Figs. 20 and 2l. This is shown as retaining a slab which is deeply grooved on its upper edge for receiving a correspondingly shaped tongue formed on the lower edge of the next upper slab. In order to temporarily retain the anchor in final position such that the tongue 92 is pressed rmly into contact with the stud flange I provide retaining teeth on the depressed portion 93 of the anchor adapted to engage the surfaces of the groove in the slab. These may project laterally as at Qld to engage the side surface of the groove to serve as a detent or may be struck downwardly to engage the bottom wall surface of the groove and pierce well into the slab.

The arrangement of a metal plate so shaped that it will hold the slabs when driven edgewise therein greatly simpliiies securely attaching slab to studding while not spacing the slabs from each other at the edges as will be seen from the above description of corrugated anchoring devices adapted to be thus seated in the slabs. Another very simple arrangement is to form in effect a hook or lug effect at the shank end of such anchor device and slidably interlocking the hook or lug effect with the stud or a carrier mounted thereon. There' is a special advantage in directly engaging the stud.. as in slots or on iianges in or on the stud tor the reason that by so doing the slabs may be brought into face to face contact with the stud itself and at the same time the slabs may be positioned in full edge to edge contact with each other. Fig. 25 shows at @5 such anchor plate with a hook edect at 96 adapted to engage either slots or anges of suitable studs. An additional hooi: effect may be provided as at 96a, to

provide orinterchangeabilityin case the anchors are to be hooked over flanges and assuming such conflgurations are employed on the slab engaging portionas will operate to draw the slab inwardly as the anchor is driven thereinto. Such special congurations as shown, comprise an outwardly and downwardly inclined arrangement of corrugations.

Fig. 26 illustrates the anchor of Fig. 25 engaging slots 91 in the anges oi a sheet metal stud .nel or I-section stud.

or frame member 5b. The slots are staggered so as to permit engagement of the slab by the anchors 95 at any height on the stud. l' f desired' the anchors may engage the slots 98 in the web of a similar (single channel) stud or frame member 5c, Fig. 27. These slots may incline in order to overlap and still be substantially equally spaced from the edge of the web. The inclination may also serve (assuming the corrugations e. g. are formed say parallel to the. stud ange) to draw the slab toward the stud as the anchors 95a are driven into this slab. The corrugations could in this case be inclined inwardly and downwardly but at an angle less than the angle of the slots.

Figs. 28 to 30 illustrate a preferred arrangement for supporting the devices 95 from a chan- The stud 5d has inwardly extending iianges 5d which serve to support the anchors 95. If the anchors have double hooks 96 and 96a then notwithstanding the inclination of the corrugations the anchors may be used interchangeably on all four flanges of the stud. In such case only one edge of the corrugated portion need be sharpened. Interchangeability may also be effected by omitting the in"- clination of the corrugations and driving the anchors into the slab at the required angle to draw in the slab.

With the arrangement of stud shown in Fig. 28 the metal stock used may be very light for average non-bearing walls and if light enough'so that the flanges will be sprung in drawing the slabs up against the stud it is advisable to form the flanges slightly inclined toward the web (see Fig. 29 wherein the broken lines L indicates the inner surface of the slab). The principal object of this arrangement is to insure full face to face contact between the stud flange and the adjacent slab when the securing device such as 95 is fully seated y into the edge of the slab.

The anchor according to Fig. 25 may be further modified as shown in Fig. 30a by providing a hook effect as at Sith and a doubled back portion 96e carrying ayielding finger 96d, the hook and nge'r being adapted to engage the ange and web respectively of a channel stud.

The arrangements of Figs. 25 to 30a may, of course, be used with practically any slab edge detail. A true square edge slab is shown in Fig. 26 and a slab having a slight angle for interlocking two adjacent slabs when fully secured is shown in Fig. 30. vIn using such slab edge detail as shown in Fig. 30 the lower edge of the slab overlying the anchor device may be further secured by so arranging the anchor device and so seating the same into the underlying slab that the anchor device will also penetrate, at least to some extent, the under edge of the overlying slab. Such device is, of course, more applicable to square edge slab or slab providing for no interlocking eect between adjacent slab edges and the anchors 95 may for convenience be used between the studding as slab edge aligners.

Referring now to Figs. 3l to 34, these illustrate principally the employment of relatively penetrable and unpenetrable slab portions, the relatively penetrable slab portions permitting engagement of the slab by anchoring devices such as heretofore described or as shown in Figs. 31 and 32. Suppose for example that the slabs indicated at 100 comprise hardber Prestwood e. g. or asbestos or micaceous concretions,--Thermite" or Zenitherm, Assuming the slabs are made of such hard compositions and have tongue and recessed edge details as shown, the recessed 75 edge may be grooved as at I I to receive a suitable strip of relatively penetrable material |02. This may comprise cork, balsa wood, or loosely pressed fiber stock, say on the order of Maisonite, The rib |03 at the inner edge of the recess provides an abutment for preventing displacement of the strip |02, say when the prongs I 05 or other equivalent devices on the anchors are driven into the slab or when any outward strain is imposed on the slab. The anchor arrangement shown is principally by way of illustration, and comprises essentially the same arrangement as shown in the Robinson-Trader-Price application, Fig. 12 thereof. The anchor comprises a main body plate |06 of sheet metal of suitable gauge from which are turned stud engaging lugs and fingers |01 and |08 respectively. These are preferably arranged in pairs above and below the plane of the strip engaging prongs |05, which latter may be of any suitable number and may be outstruck from the plate to overlie the slab edge. The lug and finger carrying portions of the plate are preferablyl struck outwardly from the intermediate portion in order to better compensate for variations in the dimensions of the stud-flanges and/or the lugs and fingers, all as described in y said application.

Fig. 32 shows near the bottom thereof the full engagement of one slab edge with another and it 'will be noted that the lower edge of the tongue |00 rests on the upper surface of the prong ycarrying projection of the anchor, holding the fthe main body portion may be accurately molded to exact dimensions whereby accurate alignment between the 'slabs may be effected. If desired, there may be relative inclination between the adjacent vertical tongue and recess surfaces, as shown in Fig. 32, for example, whereby the tongue of the overlying slab is more easily inserted and will be drawn into snug engagement with the vertical surfaces of the anchor devices.

As an alternative construction the relatively hard slab may be laminated from two sheets of such material as shown in Fig. 33 at I|0 and II I. The two sheets of material composing the slab are oiset from each other to provide tongues and recesses. The relatively penetrable strip I2 may be secured to one of the thus recessed edges as by suitable cement or brads. The strip retaining rib |03 of Fig. 32 is omitted from the showing of Fig. 33 but could, vof course, be provided. 1n-

stead of a relatively penetrable strip ||2 the entire sheet l0 may be of relatively penetrable material and the other sheet of relatively impenetrable material.

Fig. 34 illustrates that true square edge slabs may be formed using the relatively penetrable strip at ||3 on both edgesv of the slabs ||4 and alignment secured between the two slabs by forming slab engaging prongs ||5, both upwardly and downwardly from the metal of the anchor. In the event of using both upwardly and downwardly extending prongs it is preferable to provide at least a pair of downwardly extending prongs and a pair of upwardly extending prongs on the anchor.

Referring to Fig. 36 this shows a laminated board which may be composed of one layer of relatively penetrable material and another layer of relatively impenetrable material, the two being spaced and connected together say by strips of any suitable material set back from the edges suiiiciently to provide grooves or for that matter extended from the edges to provide tongues. As shown there are laminations and |2| with intermediate strips |22 running longitudinally of the slab, see Fig. 35. The arrangement provides grooves |24 at both horizontal edges. Tongues may be provided by additional inserts; for example, Fig. 35 shows at |22 a strip of material positioned between two strips |22 and the sheets |20 and 2|. One practical arrangement of materials composing the slab is to provide an outer face sheet |2I of conventional plaster board and an inner face sheet |20 of more fire resisting material, for instance Thermite.

To secure such slab as illustrated in Figs. 35 and 36, upwardly and downwardly extending tongues |30 may be provided on an anchor device similar to that described above with reference to Figs. 31 and 32. As shown these tongues are inclined outwardly at their ends for the purpose of guiding and drawing the edges of the slab sheets |20 toward the anchor and firmly against the body portions |3| 'and |32 thereof. The edges of the sheet |20 may terminate inwardly from the plane of the edge surfaces of the sheet |2| so that the metal of the anchor which projects between two adjacent sheets |20 will not hold the adjacent edges of the sheets |2| from coming into full contact.

The intermediatel strips |22 may be of easily penetrable material and extend flush with the outer edges of the sheets |20 or I2| for engagement by prongs etc. on the anchor or by slab penetrating edge aligners such as hereinbefore described.

Figs. 38 to 42 show a further modification of laminated slab designed to effect greater strength while using gypsum and like body material as a core, greater adaptability for shipping and erecting and also saving in manufacturing cost. Other advantages will appear below.

In Fig. 38 portions of two slab units |50 are shown in erected position against a stud 5. The units each comprise two boards or sheets |5| and |52 laminated in offset relation to each other to produce substantially the tongue and recess edge detail for the complete unit shown and described with reference to Figs. 31 to 33. Each board |5| and |52 has a suitable strengthening and protective envelope say of chip-board completely enclosing the gypsum body in conventional fashion, that is to say as applied to the gypsum body on the usual board mill in making plaster board or plaster lath. The enveloping material is in two sheets |54 and |55, the sheet |54 being folded about both edges of the gypsum bodyforming a rounded board edge, and the sheet |55 lying entirely flat and overlapping the depressed marginal surfaces of both edges of the sheet |54, forming the lap joint |51.

In laminating the boards |5| and |52 to form the slab. the sides having the joints |51 are adjacent, this resulting in a composite slab with the highly desirable unbroken or jointless rough paper surface on both sides. 'I'hus if one side of the slab is badly damaged, say in shipping, this side is placed toward the studding. In re-erecting the wall parts the side previously placed against the studding may ordinarily (assuming it is undamaged) be used for the exposed face on the second erection, saving all expense of trimming up the previously used face to prepare the same for redecoration. Any suitable adhesive aosaaas may be used in laminating the boards-'for -example silicate of soda, or the various vegetable or animal glues.

The preferred anchoring device is that of the prior application above identiiied, one form being illustrated in Fig. 39 hereof. This comprises a plate |60 having tongues outstruck therefrom at |6| to engage the slab and having a central depression |62 in which is seated a stud engaging clip |63. 'Ihe clip has paired hooks and lingers |62 and |65 respectively for yieldingly interlocking with the stud both above and below the plate i60, in the same manner as do the hooks and fingers of the anchor shown herein on Fig. 31. The tongues itl have downwardly bent points ila at their extremities, preferably inclined outwardly at a slight angle (see Fig. 38).

In securing the slabs to the studdlng the bottom row has the lower edges secured as previously described and the upper edges are secured to each stud by one of the anchor devices iirst described, the anchors being driven down when interlocked with the stud causing the points iia to forcibly engage, and indentate or penetrate if necessary, the underlying paper covering of the inside lamination i5? composing the slab. The horizontal portions of the tongues iti are also preferably sunk into the inner slab member H52 to the extent of the thickness of the metal which requires very little effort because of the rounded edges on the slab members ist, but which has the advantage, namely; that the slabs are not separated edgewise even by so much as said thickness of' the metal of the tongues. This indents the chipboard but does not tear it.

Other advantages oi the rounded edges are:

That they are less easily damaged than squareedges; the tongues are more readily inserted into the groove edects between the tongues of the secured slabs and the anchors, and the pointing compound. has a hired relatively deep space to ll (see pointing at itil, Fig'. 38) facilitating the pointing operation and insuring that the compound will remain in position. On subsequent disassembly of the slabs the feather edged remains of the pointing compound are easily removed from whichever of the two adjacent slabs it adheres to. Moreover the rounded edges greatly assist in splicing adjacent ends of two slabs together by means of the parts it@ of the anchor devices, particularly there the two ends of the slabs overhang and are unsupported by the studs as will now be shown.

In Fig. 40 only the `part it@ of the anchor is shown secured on the upper edge of a slab. Assuming that two o the pointed tongues itil engage one slab and the other two engage the endwise adjacent slab the two overhanging slab ends may be thus spliced at both the upper and lower edges of both slabs. The anchor part E50 at the lower edges (not shown) may be inverted, in which case the tongues it and points iia of both members it@ embrace the edges of the slabs to be spliced, fully securing the spliced ends in alignment. The assistance rendered by the rounded edges arises from the fact that asthe members i60 are driven onto the slabs (note: unsupported by a stud) the members |60 have a tendency to tilt to the position shown in the broken lines at i, Fig. 40. Then when the tongue of 4an adjacent slab is forcedinto the groove eiect between the upstanding portion of the member i60 and the upstandlng tongue of the slab portion illustrated the member i6@ is forced into parallelism with both slabs and the edges are held firmly in alignment.

The laminated chipboard covered slab has, in addition to the above stated advantages, greater strength and insulation qualities because of the intermediate layers of chipboard; and the intermediate chipboard layers form a suitable web for holding screws or nails lin case such are required for any purpose,as in hanging pictures on the finished wall.

In laminating the parts i5! and |52 strips may be used as at |10, Fig. 41, spacing these parts any desired distance, and the spacing strips may be of penetrable substance adapted to receive the points such as |6|a of the anchors. The strips |10 may comprise fabric impregnated by asphaltum or raw rubber as an adhesive material which latter upon subsequent curing will afford a desirable cushioning between the two laminations, preventing to some extent sound transmission through the wall. Tongue effects may be provided incase of using rather thin lamination strips H0 by inserting metal tabs as at ill, Fig. 42, for endwise alignment of slabs in the same row.

li claim:

1. In a wall comprising flanged studding and slabs arranged adjacent thereto, a. guide strip adapted to be secured to an existing horizontal surface in a building, a stud extension device adapted to slidably iit the flanges of a, stud, means to clamp the stud and extension together in va- 2.1m a wall 'comprising upright studding and.A

slabs arranged adjacent thereto, a guide strip adapted to be secured to a horizontal surface, stud extensions adapted to slidably nt the studs, said extensions having end portions rigid therewith and adapted to embrace the guide strip for a distance along the same considerably greater than the dimensions of the stud lengthwise or the strip, and clamping means to lock the extensions in various adjusted position along the studs.

3. In a wall of the class described a plurality of studs in substantially parallel relationship, slabs adapted to be secured to said studs and means to support the ends of the studs, said means including an adjustable stud extension at the lower end of a stud, said extension having an upstanding portion adapted to slidably fit the stud and a lower end portion rigid therewith and adapted to engage and secure the lower edges of two slabs one on each side of the stud, and means on said extensions arranged to clamp the extension to the stud in fixed longitudinally adjusted position. p

d. In a wall of the class described, the combination comprising a base plate, a post integral with the plate, said post having a longitudinal slot therein, a stud 'having openings adapted to receive clamping bolts, said bolts extending through said slot for holding the stud and post in mutually rigid relationship.

5. A slab anchoring-device for a wall comprising upright studding and horizontally arranged slabs substantially in edge to edge relationship, saidanchoring device comprising a relatively thin metal plate having a portion adapted to lie between adjacent slab edges, said portion having a-nroiection extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the plate, said projection being corrugated to thereby stiffen the same, the corrugation extending in a direction to facilitate penetration of the material of the slab by the projection.

6. In a wall comprising a frame and slabs arranged adjacent thereto substantially in edge to edge contact, means adapted to be secured to a portion of the frame, and a corrugated and thereby stiiened section of sheet metal carried by the aforesaid means and adapted to be driven edgewise of said sheet into one edge of a slab to secure the same.

7. A slab securing or aligning device adapted to penetrate adjacent edges of two slabs one above the other in edgewise contact, said, device comprising a metal plate having substantially vertical corrugations thereon, and means on the plate adapted to resist further penetration of one slab when the plate has penetrated the same a predetermined distance.

8. An anchor for securing wall slabs to studding, said anchor comprising a flexible metal strip adapted to be operatively secured to a stud, and a corrugated fastener carried by the free end of said strip and adapted to be driven edgewise of itself into the edge of a slab.

9. In a wall of the class described a clip for securing wall slabs in face to face contact with the flange faces of flanged studding, said clip comprising a relatively thin sheet metal plate having a body portion adapted to extend flatwise between adjacent slabs and an arm portion adapted to extend inwardly from the body beyond the free edge of'the stud flange, to interlock with the stud flange, the edge of the body remote from the arm being bent downwardly substantially at right angles to the plane of the plate and vertically corrugated to stiifen the same and thereby facilitate driving the same firmly into the underlying edge of the slab.

10. In a wall of the class comprising frame members and slabs disposed adjacent the same, and adapted to be secured thereto, a slab fastening device comprising a bent piece of sheet metal adapted to be driven edgewise .of itself and substantially parallel vto the axis of the bend into the edge of such slab, so that the bend lies within the material of which the slab is composed and prevents movement of the device in any direction except parallel -to that required to drive it in, notwithstanding that the device protrudes from two adjacent surfaces of the slab.

11. A slab fastener for a wall of the class described, comprising a bent piece of sheet metal adapted to be driven .edgewise of itself, and parallel to the axis of the bend, into the edge of a slab, whereby the bend lies within the material of the slab and prevents-the fastener from being withdrawn from the slab without damage to the slab except by movement opposite to that required to drive it in, said fastener having means thereon to detachably' engage a frame member in a manner to secure the slab thereto.

12. In a wall comprising frame members, and slabs of penetrable material, disposed adjacent thereto, a fastener comprising a piece of corrugated sheet metal adapted to be driven edgewise of itself, and parallel to the longitudinal extent of the corrugatlon, into the edge of a slab, said fastener having means thereon adapted to detachably engage such frame members in a manner to hold the penetrable slab thereagainst.

13. In a wall comprising flanged frame members and slabs adapted to be secured thereto-adjacent the flanges, a corrugated sheet metal fastener having a hook adapted to interlock with the flange of a frame member and having corrugations extending substantially parallel to the frame member to which interlocked', so as to be driven edgewise of itself and parallel to the corrugation into the edge of a slab to hold it against the frame member.

14. In a wall comprising frame members and slabs adapted to be positioned adjacent the frame members, corrugated sheet-metal fasteners adapted to be driven edgewise of themselves into the slab and having means adapted to interlockingly engage the frame members in a manner to permit the fasteners to be slid along the frame members while interlocked therewith. the corrugations of the fasteners being inclined relative to the direction of movement of the fasteners along the frame members in a manner to draw the engaged slabs toward the frame members when driven into the slab.

15. In a wall, a main wall support, slabs arranged adjacent said support, a sheet metal anchor plate having a portion thereof adapted to interlock with the support and remain interlocked therewith while moved along the support, a portion of said plate extending beyond the support, the sheet metal of the latter portion being bent about an axis extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the plate along the support and disposed entirely in a substantially vertical plane, whereby all of said latter portion may be driven into a relatively underlying slab leaving only the edge of the metal exposed on the surface of such slab, the bend interlocking with the slab material to prevent movement of the slab away from the support.

16. In a wall.- a main wall support, slabs arranged adjacent said support, a slot 'in said support adjacent one slab and a sheet metal device adapted to engage the slot and remain interlocked therewith while moved lengthwise of the slot, a portion of said device being arranged to penetrate the edge of a slab edgewise of the sheet metal and being bent on an axis substantially parallel to the direction of penetration to thereby retain the slab in position against the support.

17. A slab securing device for a wall slab of the class described, comprising a substantially flat` metal plate, having a single relatively short downwardly extending projection bent therefrom and of sufficient stiffness so that it may be driven into a slab underlying the plate with a single blow of a hammer, and upwardly extending relatively short projections on the plate disposed at each side of the aforesaid projection and adapted to pierce 'the lower edge of another slab when the latter islowered into place in edgewise relation to the aforesaid slab.

Y MANLEY-R. PRICE. 

